Perpendicular Magnetic Tunnel Junctions Research Articles

Stateful implication logic based on perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions

Stateful implication logic based on perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions

Theoretical Study of Field-Free Switching in PMA-MTJ Using Combined Injection of STT and SOT Currents.

Field-free switching in perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (P-MTJs) can be achieved by combined injection of spin-transfer torque (STT) and spin-orbit torque (SOT) currents. In this paper, we derived the relationship between the STT and SOT critical current densities under combined injection. We included the damping–like torque (DLT) and field-like torque (FLT) components of both the STT and SOT. The results were derived when the ratio of the FLT to the DLT component of the SOT was positive. We observed that the relationship between the critical SOT and STT current densities depended on the damping constant and the magnitude of the FLT component of the STT and the SOT current. We also noted that, unlike the FLT component of SOT, the magnitude and sign of the FLT component of STT did not have a significant effect on the STT and SOT current densities required for switching. The derived results agreed well with micromagnetic simulations. The results of this work can serve as a guideline to model and develop spintronic devices using a combined injection of STT and SOT currents.

Large Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and room-temperature nanoscale skyrmions in CoFeB/MgO heterostructures

Magnetic skyrmions in heavy metal (HM)/CoFeB/MgO structures are of particular interest for skyrmion-based magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices because of their reliable generation, stability, and readout through purely electrical methods. To optimize the properties, such as stability, a strong Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) is required at room temperature. Here, using first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that huge DMI can be obtained in Ir/CoFe structures with an Fe-terminated configuration. Moreover, Brillouin light-scattering measurements show that indeed Ta/Ir/Co 20 Fe 60 B 20 /MgO thin films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy exhibit a large DMI value (1.13 mJ/m 2 ) when the thickness of the CoFeB layer is 1.1 nm, which can be attributed to the smooth and Fe-rich interface between Ir and CoFeB layers. Furthermore, we observe stable sub-100 nm magnetic skyrmions at room temperature in the Ir/CoFeB/MgO systems by magnetic force microscope. This work paves the way for promoting the application of skyrmions in CoFeB/MgO-based perpendicular anisotropy MTJ structures. Large DMI in Ir/CoFeB/MgO thin films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy First-principles calculations combined with Brillouin light-scattering methods Significant role of interfacial configuration on the regulation of DMI Sub-100 nm room-temperature magnetic skyrmions in Ir/CoFeB/MgO multilayers Chen et al. observe a large Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, combined with the evidence of sub-100-nm room-temperature skyrmions in Ir/CoFeB/MgO structures. This material stack may provide a platform to realize skyrmionics, especially the nucleation and electrical detection of skyrmions in perpendicular anisotropy-based magnetic tunnel junctions.

Phase-change-assisted spin-transfer torque switching in perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions

Magnetic anisotropy modulation is an effective method to simultaneously reduce the switching current and extend the data retention of magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), which is promising to be used in the next-generation spin transfer torque (STT) magnetic random-access memory. However, to meet the requirements of high storage life and harsh environments, the improved perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of MTJ makes the conventional modulation methods suffer from high breakdown risk owing to the relatively low efficiency. In this paper, a method of phase-change controlled magnetic anisotropy (PCMA) is introduced to a physical model of VO2/CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB perpendicular MTJ with superior modulation capability proved by systematical simulation. The time sequence of phase change pulse and STT pulse is studied, proving that there exists a specific interval to achieve both rapid and low-power switching. With the joint effect of PCMA and STT, low-energy (68.2 fJ), low-error-rate (0.08), and fast (2 ns) write operation can be achieved in the MTJ accompanied by a high thermal stability factor (78). The results demonstrate that the PCMA-STT switching strategy is most suitable for MTJ with large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, paving a promising way to replace NOR flash memories.

Spintronic computational memory using symmetry-dependent spin–orbit torque switching

The non-volatile logic gates that can perform both storage and computing functions are the elementary components for in-memory computing. In this work, we propose a spin–orbit torque based non-volatile reconfigurable logic device. The spatial-dependent spin current generated by a Y-shaped heavy metal layer is utilized to break the symmetry of a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) with Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction, which leads to a symmetry-dependent magnetization switching. Both bipolar and unipolar magnetization switching can be achieved based on the proposed scheme. The feasibility of the prototype device is demonstrated through the micromagnetic simulations. Moreover, we assign these symmetry-dependent switching characteristics with different Boolean logic operations. Three logic gates including Majority, XOR, and AND/XOR are reconfigured. Furthermore, we offer a different approach to perform an N-bit full subtractor/adder function using a single MTJ. The proposed device paves the way toward a programmable and highly parallel logic-in-memory architecture in the near future.

Design and analysis of SHE-assisted STT MTJ/CMOS logic gates

We have investigated the spin-Hall effect (SHE)-assisted spin transfer torque (STT) switching mechanism in a three-terminal MTJ device developed using p-MTJ (perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction) and heavy metal materials of high atomic number, which possesses large spin–orbit interaction. Using p-MTJ schematic and complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, we have designed three basic hybrid logic-in-memory structure-based logic gates NOR/OR, NAND/AND, and XNOR /XOR. Then the performances of these hybrid gates are evaluated and the results are compared with the conventional CMOS-based gates in terms of power, delay, power delay product, and device count. From the analysis, it is concluded that SHE-assisted STT MTJ/CMOS logic gates are nonvolatile, consume less power, and occupy a smaller die area as compared to conventional CMOS only logic gates.

Current-Induced Magnetization Switching in Seed Optimized Perpendicular Magnetic Tunnel Junctions with Enhanced Spin-Transfer-Torque Efficiency and Uniformity

A NiCr film is introduced in magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) seed layer to improve the smoothness of multilayer and to enhance the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) of the pinning layer. Espec...

Critical switching current of a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction owing to the interplay of spin-transfer torque and spin-orbit torque

Using the linearized Landau–Lifshitz-Gilbert (LLG) equation in the rotation coordinate, we calculate the critical switching current density of a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), where magnetization switching is achieved by the interplay of spin-transfer and spin-orbit torques. In terms of the critical current density, we find that as the current density inducing the spin-orbit torque increases, the current density inducing the spin-transfer torque decreases nonlinearly. In the presence of the spin-orbit field-like torque (β), the critical switching current density by the spin-transfer torque is proportional to the damping constant (α) as the conventional spin-transfer torque switching, while the critical switching current density by the spin-orbit torque increases with when . We also investigated the β dependence of the critical switching current density. For a given , the critical switching current density for the spin-transfer torque, decreases linearly with increasing β and nonlinearly decreases with increasing for a given β. Further, we discuss the β dependence of the critical switching current density on energy.

High thermal durability of Ru-based synthetic antiferromagnet by interfacial engineering with Re insertion

Synthetic antiferromagnets (SAFs), composed of Ru spacer with a Re insertion layer, reveal superior thermal stability up to 450 °C annealing, making the back-end of line process a wider manufacturing window and tolerance to integrate the perpendicular magnetic tunneling junctions (P-MTJs) into CMOS process. The coupling strength decays significantly for SAFs with single Ru spacer after annealing above 400 °C. Due to the characteristics of refractory metals, Re can behave as a diffusion barrier during annealing. Furthermore, the Re spacer can still keep reasonable RKKY coupling strength. Therefore, the SAFs with Ru/Re composite spacers exhibit higher RKKY coupling strength than Ru spacers after 450 °C annealing. In addition, we discovered the different enhancements for the upper and lower interfacial Re insertion, which was attributed to the varied defect formation at interfaces. The stacking fault was formed at the upper Ru/Co interface in as-deposited state. When Re was inserted at the upper interface, the diffusion between Co and Ru was significantly suppressed and the stacking fault can be eliminated during annealing, leading to enhanced interlayer coupling. Through the interfacial engineering, we may have more degrees of freedom to tune the SAF performance and thus enhance process compatibility of P-MTJ to the CMOS process.

Giant Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interaction and Room-Temperature Nanoscale Skyrmions in CoFeB/MgO Heterostructures

Magnetic skyrmions in heavy metal (HM)/CoFeB/MgO structures are of particular interest for skyrmion-based magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices because of their reliable generation, stability and read-out through purely electrical methods. To optimize the properties, such as stability, a strong Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) is required at room temperature. Here, using first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that giant DMI can be obtained in Ir/CoFe structures with an Fe-terminated configuration. Moreover, Brillouin light scattering measurements show that indeed Ta/Ir/Co20Fe60B20/MgO thin films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy exhibit a large DMI value (1.13 mJ/m2), which can be attributed to the smooth and Fe-rich interface between Ir and CoFeB layers. Furthermore, we observe stable sub-100 nm magnetic skyrmions at room temperature in Ir/CoFeB/MgO systems by magnetic force microscope. This work paves the way for promoting the application of skyrmions in CoFeB/MgO-based perpendicular anisotropy MTJ structures.

Voltage-Gate-Assisted Spin-Orbit-Torque Magnetic Random-Access Memory for High-Density and Low-Power Embedded Applications

Voltage-gate assisted spin-orbit torque (VGSOT) writing scheme combines the advantages from voltage control of magnetic anisotropy (VCMA) and spin-orbit torque (SOT) effects, enabling multiple benefits for magnetic random access memory (MRAM) applications. In this work, we give a complete description of VGSOT writing properties on perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (pMTJ) devices, and we propose a detailed methodology for its electrical characterization. The impact of gate assistance on the SOT switching characteristics are investigated using electrical pulses down to 400ps. The VCMA coefficient ({\xi}) extracted from current switching scheme is found to be the same as that from the magnetic field switch method, which is in the order of 15fJ/Vm for the 80nm to 150nm devices. Moreover, as expected from the pure electronic VCMA effect, {\xi} is revealed to be independent of the writing speed and gate length. We observe that SOT switching current characteristics are modified linearly with gate voltage (V_g), similar as for the magnetic properties. We interpret this linear behavior as the direct modification of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and nucleation energy induced by VCMA. At V_g = 1V, the SOT write current is decreased by 25%, corresponding to a 45% reduction in total energy down to 30fJ/bit at 400ps speed for the 80nm devices used in this study. Further, the device-scaling criteria are proposed, and we reveal that VGSOT scheme is of great interest as it can mitigate the complex material requirements of achieving high SOT and VCMA parameters for scaled MTJs. Finally, how that VGSOT-MRAM can enable high-density arrays close to two terminal geometries, with high-speed performance and low-power operation, showing great potential for embedded memories as well as in-memory computing applications at advanced technology nodes.

Nanoscale domain wall devices with magnetic tunnel junction read and write

The manipulation of fast domain wall motion in magnetic nanostructures could form the basis of novel magnetic memory and logic devices. However, current approaches for reading and writing domain walls require external magnetic fields, or are based on conventional magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) that are not compatible with high-speed domain wall motion. Here we report domain wall devices based on perpendicular MTJs that offer electrical read and write, and fast domain wall motion via spin–orbit torque. The devices have a hybrid free layer design that consists of platinum/cobalt (Pt/Co) or a synthetic antiferromagnet (Pt/Co/Ru/Co) into the free layer of conventional MTJs. We show that our devices can achieve good tunnelling magnetoresistance readout and efficient spin-transfer torque writing that is comparable to current magnetic random-access memory technology, as well as domain wall depinning efficiency that is similar to stand-alone materials. We also show that a domain wall conduit based on a synthetic antiferromagnet offers the potential for reliable domain wall motion and faster write speed compared with a device based on Pt/Co. Domain wall devices based on perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions with a hybrid free layer design can offer electrical read and write, and fast domain wall motion driven via spin–orbit torque.

Perpendicular Magnetic Tunnel Junctions With Four Anti-Ferromagnetically Coupled Co/Pt Pinning Layers

We developed perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with four synthetic anti-ferromagnetically coupled Co/Pt layers (quad-SyF) and investigated their magnetic and transport properties. The quad-SyF comprised four Co/Pt layers and three 0.9 nm-thick Ru coupling layers, which consisted of Co/[Co/Pt] <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${}_{a}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> /Ru/Co/[Co/Pt] <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${}_{b}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> /Ru/Co/[Co/Pt] <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${}_{c}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> /Ru/Co/[Co/Pt] <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${}_{d}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> from top to bottom. The exchange coupling field ( <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_{\mathrm {ex}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> ) reached a maximum of 1 T when the values of <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$a$ </tex-math></inline-formula> , <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$b$ </tex-math></inline-formula> , <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$c$ </tex-math></inline-formula> , and <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d$ </tex-math></inline-formula> were 1, 2, 2, and 1, respectively. The tunnel magnetoresistance ratio of the MTJ with the quad-SyF and the second-peak conventional double-SyF increased as the annealing temperature was increased up to 400 °C, whereas that of the MTJ with the first-peak conventional double-SyF degraded at temperatures of more than 350 °C in blanket films. A 55 nm diameter MTJ with quad-SyF was found to be stable even against an external magnetic field up to 300 mT. On the contrary, in the conventional double-SyF, the reference-layer (RL) magnetization direction flips at around 250 mT. The shift magnetic field of the MTJ with quad-SyF becomes approximately zero when the values of <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$a$ </tex-math></inline-formula> , <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$b$ </tex-math></inline-formula> , <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$c$ </tex-math></inline-formula> , and <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d$ </tex-math></inline-formula> are 1, 4, 1, and 2, respectively. No back-hopping of the MTJ with quad-SyF was observed even for the write pulsewidth ( <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$t_{W}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> ) down to 10 ns. On the contrary, an MTJ with conventional double-SyF exhibited back-hopping. In the patterned MTJ with conventional double-SyF, as the MTJ size decreases, the coercive field of Co/Pt significantly increases and <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_{\mathrm {ex}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> decreases, causing the <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$m$ </tex-math></inline-formula> – <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H$ </tex-math></inline-formula> curve of the RL to cross the zero magnetic field. This enables both parallel and antiparallel configurations for the top and bottom Co/Pt layers in double-SyF at the zero magnetic field, which could induce back-hopping. However, the <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$m$ </tex-math></inline-formula> – <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H$ </tex-math></inline-formula> curves of the RL in the patterned MTJ with quad-SyF are far from the zero magnetic field owing to the high <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_{\mathrm {ex}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and low <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_{c}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> , which could lead to the suppression of back-hopping.

First Demonstration of 25-nm Quad Interface p-MTJ Device With Low Resistance-Area Product MgO and Ten Years Retention for High Reliable STT-MRAM

We successfully developed 25-nm quad CoFeB/MgO-interfaces perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (quad-MTJ) with enough thermal stability. To fabricate the quad-MTJ, a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process for depositing novel free layer and low resistance-area (RA) product MgO layer and low-damage fabrication processes were developed. The developed quad-MTJ technology and advanced process bring better tunnel magneto resistance (TMR) ratio and RA to quad-MTJ than those of double-interface MTJ (double-MTJ), even though quad-MTJ has an additional MgO layer. Scaling down the MTJ size to 25 nm, we demonstrated the advantages of quad-MTJ compared with double-MTJ as follows: 1) two times larger thermal stability factor (Δ), which results in over ten years retention; 2) superiority of large Δ in the measuring temperature range up to 200 °C; 3) ~1.5 times higher write efficiency; 4) lower write current at short write pulse regions at less than 100 ns; and e) excellent endurance of over 10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">11</sup> thanks to higher write efficiency, which results from the reduced voltage owing to low RA and the low damage integration process technology. As a result, the developed quad-MTJ technologies will open the way for the realization of high-density STT-MRAM with low power, high speed, high reliability, and excellent scalability down to 2× nm node.

An Energy-Efficient Hybrid Tunnel FET based STT-MRAM Memory Cell Design at Low VDD

ABSTRACT Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy-based Magnetic Tunnel Junction (PMA-MTJ) and Spin Transfer Torque Magnetic Random-Access Memory (STT-MRAM) have attracted wide attention among the next-generation Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) technologies due to low leakage and high-density characteristics for embedded memory architectures. However, STT-MRAM-based memory cells are not energy efficient with CMOS scaling at scaled supply voltages. This paper presents a novel energy-efficient Hybrid TFET (1 T: Hetero-junction TFET, 1 T: Homo-junction TFET)/STT-MRAM cell that explores p-i-n forward current of Tunnel FET. The proposed hybrid memory cell demonstrates ~27.3% energy efficiency over equivalent 1 T FinFET/STT-MRAM cell, 16.75% energy efficiency over equivalent 1 T Homo-junction TFET/STT-MRAM cell and 24.3% energy efficiency over equivalent 1 T Hetero-junction TFET/STT-MRAM cell at VDD = 0.5 V.

Enhanced tunnel magnetoresistance in Mn-based perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions utilizing antiferromagnetically coupled bcc-Co-based interlayer

High tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) in perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (p-MTJs) with tetragonal Mn-based electrodes is expected to play a key role in the realization of practical high-density magnetic memories, advanced THz devices, and magnetic sensors. In this study, we demonstrated the use of bcc-Co-based alloys, such as bcc-Co and bcc-CoMn binary alloys, as antiferromagnetically coupled interlayers for MnGa-based p-MTJs. The interlayer of bcc-Co enhanced the TMR ratio of MnGa-based MTJs by 70% at 300 K and 145% at 10 K. Furthermore, the TMR ratio of the MTJ with the bcc-CoMn interlayer was enhanced up to 85 (209)% at 300 (10) K at a thickness of 0.8 nm. The enhancement in the TMRs can be attributed to the electronic band with the Δ1 symmetry of the bcc-Co-based alloy. In addition, the Co-based interlayer supported the growth of a high-quality MgO barrier sufficient for sustaining the coherency of the tunnel electrons from the Bloch state in the ferromagnetic electrode. These results suggest that bcc-Co-based interlayers are promising interlayer materials for MnGa-based p-MTJs.

Heavy-Ion Irradiation Effects on Advanced Perpendicular Anisotropy Spin-Transfer Torque Magnetic Tunnel Junction

This article investigates heavy-ion irradiation effects on perpendicular magnetic anisotropy spin-transfer torque magnetic tunnel junction devices (PMA STT-MTJs). The radiative campaign took place at the Université Catholique de Leuven (UCL) facility. The considered devices consist of STT p-MTJs purely magnetic memories and they were fabricated at SPINTEC using the most advanced CoFeB-MgO MTJ technology. Single-event upset (SEU) tolerance and modification of magnetic properties has been investigated.

Thermal Effects in Spin-Torque Switching of Perpendicular Magnetic Tunnel Junctions at Cryogenic Temperatures

Temperature plays an important role in spin-torque switching of magnetic tunnel junctions, causing magnetization fluctuations that decrease the switching voltage but also introduce switching errors. Here we present a systematic study of the temperature dependence of the spin-torque-switching probability of state-of-the-art perpendicular-magnetic-tunnel-junction nanopillars (40--60 nm in diameter) from room temperature down to 4 K, sampling up to a million switching events. The junction temperature at the switching voltage---obtained from the thermally assisted spin-torque-switching model---saturates at temperatures below about 75 K, showing that junction heating is significant below this temperature and that spin-torque switching remains highly stochastic down to 4 K. A model of heat flow in a nanopillar junction shows this effect is associated with the reduced thermal conductivity and heat capacity of the metals in the junction.

Sub-ns Field-Free Switching in Perpendicular Magnetic Tunnel Junctions by the Interplay of Spin Transfer and Orbit Torques

The interplay of spin-transfer torque (STT) and spin-orbit torque (SOT) highlights the potential of current-induced magnetization reversal for the ultrahigh-speed and ultralow-power memory applications. However, the ultrafast field-free switching and its dynamic mechanism have not been clarified yet. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the sub-nanosecond field-free switching by the interplay of STT and SOT in perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). The dynamic investigations of the STT and SOT switching reveal that the applied SOT current can highly decrease the incubation time and current density of STT, which leads to the achievement of ultra-fast switching. Besides, the timing scheme investigations of SOT and STT pulses are performed. The firstly applied SOT current further decreases the transition time of the magnetization switching, which could result from the different nucleation and motions of domains. The interplay and the timing operations of STT and SOT provide more flexible solutions for high-speed, large-scalability and energy efficient memory applications.

Spin-torque switching mechanisms of perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction nanopillars

Understanding the spin-transfer magnetization switching mechanisms of perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction nanopillars is critical to optimizing their performance in memory devices. Here, we use micromagnetics to study how the free layer's exchange constant affects its switching dynamics. Switching is shown to generally occur by (1) growth of the magnetization precession amplitude in the element center; (2) an instability in which the reversing region moves to the element edge, forming magnetic domain wall(s); and (3) the motion of the domain wall(s) across the element. For small exchange and large element diameters, step 1 leads to a droplet with a fully reversed core that experiences a drift instability (step 2). While in the opposite case (large exchange and small diameters), the central region of the element is not fully reversed before step 2 occurs. The origin of the micromagnetic structure is shown to be the free layer's non-uniform demagnetization field. More coherent, energy-efficient, and faster switching is associated with larger exchange, showing that increasing the exchange interaction strength leads to improvements in device performance.